Govt assures equitable distribution of resources

—-Government has reassured the people of North-Western Province and other regions of equitable distribution of financial resources and development.

And Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people of Mwinilunga and Ikelenge districts of North-Western Province has appealed to President Michael Sata to consider creating more districts in the province in order to enhance development.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Nickson Chilangwa, said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is committed to distributing equally the benefits of economic development without discrimination.

Mr Chilangwa made the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda speaking people of Mwinilunga and Ikelenge districts of North-Western Province at his palace in Mwinilunga district.

He explained that President Sata has created 30 districts countrywide since coming to power in order to foster national development in line with the PF party manifesto.

Mr Chilangwa further explained that out of the 30 newly created districts, Western Province has so far been allocated 9 because of its underdeveloped status while the rest of the provinces have been given at least one new district each.

He stressed that the creation of new districts is an ongoing exercise meant to enhance national development and bringing public service closer to the people.

Mr. Chilangwa pointed out that it was not true that the PF government was marginalising some parts of the country for not voting for the party in the 2011 tripartite elections.

He has assured the people in provinces that have been allocated one district not despair as President Sata may consider creation some more districts depending on the levels of underdevelopment in order to bring them at par with others.

And Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda speaking people of Mwinilunga and Ikelenge districts of North-Western Province has pledged to work closely with the government in order to foster peace and development.

Senior Chief Kanongesha said traditional leaders in the province are happy with the leadership of President Sata who has started implementing some of the election promises.

He, however, said the traditional leaders are of the view that the creation of Manyinga district is not enough as the province is also one of the least developed following decades of neglect by the previous MMD government.

Senior Chief Kanongesha noted that the people of the province are also not fully benefiting from the mining activities in the region as even casual jobs have been taken up by outsiders leaving the locals jobless.

In another development, Senior Chief Kanongesha has observed that the recent triumph of the Patriotic Front (PF) in the just ended local government by elections in the province is a clear testimony that the people in the region want to work with the government.

The traditional leader said the victory is the wake up call to the opposition political parties to stop practicing politics of confrontation as people are not interested in name-calling but in tangible development.

Mr Chilangwa is in the province on a familiarization tour of all departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs in a bid to understand the challenges they are facing in delivering quality services to the people.